Chap. XVIII. STILL PURSUED. 359 



concealed himself behind a tree, whilst vie continued 

 forward to draw on the men, for we had found that 

 the tactics of our pursuers was to send to the van 

 their most expert bowmen to get as near to us as 

 they safely could, while the rest of them remained 

 behind, shouting loudly, to make us believe that they 

 were all far off. The foremost was not long in 

 coming within Igala's range, who fired, and the man 

 fell. 



At last we crossed the difficult stream near Mobana 

 called the Bembo, and commenced the ascent of the 

 steep hill on which the village is situated. It was a 

 critical stage in our flight. We thought it likely 

 messengers might have gone by other paths to rouse 

 the people against us, as the men who jiursued 

 us shouted out, " Men of ]\Iobana, do not let the 

 Oguizi's people pass ! they have killed our people ! " 

 As we expected, we found the fighting men all 

 ranged in battle array at the further end of the 

 village. Our road, however, lay a little out of their 

 way ; we passed quickly, and were soon again im- 

 mersed in the shade of the forest path. 



So far from being free from our tormentors after 

 this, we were now followed by the Mouaou and 

 Mobana warriors united. The path led at first down 

 the hill and we hurried along it at full speed so as 

 not to be caught at a disadvantage. A little further 

 on, halfway up another hill, Igala and Rapelina stayed 

 behind and shot another man, wounding him only, 

 and sending him howling back to his companions. 



After this there was a lull for a short time. We 

 stopped and considered what was best to be done. 



